Lifeway Foods Acquires
Helios Kefir
Lifeway Foods, Inc., Morton Grove, IL, has acquired Helios Nutrition Limited, its top competitor in the kefir market with a No. 2 overall market share and a No. 1 position in the organic category. The acquisition strengthens Lifeway’s presence in the rapidly growing market for organic dairy products, provides a steady supply of organic milk through Helios’ organic dairy subsidiary, and is expected to provide cost efficiencies by pooling the purchase of raw materials. All Helios employees will be retained, and Helios managers will be employed as consultants. Lifeway expects to transition the manufacturing of the Helios organic kefir line into Lifeway’s main Illinois facility by the end of 2006.